Norma Jean Darnell, 89 of Lubbock, Texas passed away on August 17, 2022, at the South Haven Assisted Living Center in Lubbock.  She was born in Marshall County, Oklahoma to the late Judson Howard Parrish and Mary Lee Devin Parrish.  Norma attended elementary school in Marshall County. The family moved to Panhandle Texas where Norma graduated from high school in 1951.  During her senior year, she won an award for outstanding journalism.

It was in high school where she met her soul mate, Earl Darnell. After high school she worked in a bank in Panhandle, Texas. While Norma was at the bank, Earl stopped by and asked her, "Do you want to run away and get married?" They then eloped that day and were married on May 9, 1954, in Clovis, New Mexico. They lived in Amarillo, Texas and Pampa, Texas before moving to Lubbock, Texas in 1970.

In 1987 Earl and Norma retired and they moved to Kingston, Oklahoma where they built an English country style home on several acres of land. She named their home Oak Leaf after all the beautiful oak trees on the land. Norma loved having her kids and grandkids visit. She also loved hosting parties. Norma was an avid reader and loved everything Jane Austin. She also loved to travel, and England was her favorite place to visit.

Norma was a very active member of the United Methodist church where she served on the board of The United Methodist Women organization and was instrumental in organizing several community activities. She has also helped the Boy Scouts by being an active leader in the Pampa, Texas area. One addition to her long list of community service is serving in the AT&T Pioneers Texoma Chapter.

Norma had many hobbies, one of which was sewing. Norma loved to create clothes, curtains, and various items for her home. She also enjoyed journaling.

After her husband died, she moved to Lubbock Texas to be close to family. She spent her last year's making many new friends, watching westerns and listening to books on tape.

Norma is survived by:

Children: Ronald Clayton Darnell and wife Rhonda, Ardmore, Oklahoma John Howard Darnell and wife Annette, Slidell, Louisiana Nancy Dianne Klein and husband Eddie, Lubbock, Texas Thomas Earl Darnell and wife Bandy, Winchester, Kentucky 9 Grandchildren: Shawn Darnell, Jennifer Klein Johnson, Michael Klein, Clayton Darnell, Trudy Darnell, Melissa Darnell, Lindy Pitman, Judson Darnell, Hannah Darnell 8 Great Grandchildren: Brooklynn Johnson, Noah Johnson, Ryder Johnson, Antonio Klein, Kendall Johnson, Isabella Klein, Aidan Sodt and Nora Jean.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Po Box 99, Kingston, Ok 73439